Mavista Falls

Waterfall Creek State ReserveGPS Coords: -43.3764, 147.3082
Land Tenure: State Reserve

Tasmap Reference: 5219 Fluted Cape

Mavista Falls
© 2015 - 2024 Photography: Caedence Kuepper
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Grade 4 Hike
Suitable for experienced hikers only.

3km's1.5 hours returnRough track, many obstacles Sign posted

Generally distinct without major modification to the ground. Encounters with fallen debris and other obstacles are likely.

Dogs are not allowed
Drones are not allowed
Unknown if accessible with a caravan
Unknown if accessible with a campervan or RV
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average rating of 5.6 out of 10

rated by 4 people

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About Mavista Falls

Bruny Island’s only waterfall, Mavista Falls is a small yet pretty waterfall tumbling about 7 metres on aptly named Waterfall Creek. Despite being the only waterfall on world-famous Bruny Island, the falls are known to few people as a result of the track to them having been closed over 15 years ago. These days getting to Mavista Falls is a real challenge and only achievable to those who have bushwalking experience and are sure of their abilities.

The trailhead has excellent facilities, with a large shelter, information boards, and a picnic table, and the first part of the walk is actually very easy. The trail meanders through pretty rainforest alongside Waterfall Creek, before reaching a couple of poles that are meant to indicate the end of the track after about 10 minutes. The official track now ends here, but it is possible to continue further along an old route. The track becomes overgrown and at times difficult to follow past the poles with a number of trees over the track and at least 8 creek crossings, although some recent clearing work and pink tapes make the route a bit more obvious. There is one point in particular that can be confusing, where the track appears to head up to the right, following parallel to a large fallen tree. The actual route is marked by a pink tape, and goes left and across the creek, before continuing upstream. The hardest part of the hike doesn't begin until you are near the waterfall, however, when the track comes to a series of small cascades tumbling through a mini-gorge. There is no way to get around this obstacle besides climbing up the slick (but not too steep) rock face beside these cascades. Getting past this point when the creek is high may be difficult and dangerous, but care should be taken in this section regardless of waterflow. 

Once at the top of the cascades it is just a short 20 metre scramble upstream to Mavista Falls. While the waterfall is not breathtakingly spectacular, it is a very serene and pretty spot and a nice place to dip your toes in the water and relax after the hard walk.

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